reign
reign /r'eɪn/ (reigns reigning reigned)
1 [VERB] V, V over n
If you say, for example, that silence reigns in a place or confusion reigns in a situation, you mean that the place is silent or the situation is confused. (WRITTEN)
Confusion reigned about how the debate would end...
A relative calm reigned over the city.
2 [VERB] V, V-ing
When a king or queen reigns, he or she rules a country.
...Henry II, who reigned from 1154 to 1189.
...George III, Britain's longest reigning monarch.
[N-COUNT] with poss
Reign is also a noun.
...Queen Victoria's reign.
3 [VERB] V, V over n
If you say that a person reigns in a situation or area, you mean that they are very powerful or successful.
Connors reigned as the world No. 1 for 159 consecutive weeks...
Coco Chanel reigned over fashion for half a century.
[N-COUNT] with poss
Reign is also a noun.
...a new book celebrating Havergal's reign as artistic director of the Citizens' Theatre.
4 [PHRASE] V inflects
Someone or something that reigns supreme is the most important or powerful element in a situation or period of time.
The bicycle reigned supreme as Britain's most popular mode of transport...
5 [PHRASE]
A reign of terror is a period during which there is a lot of violence and killing, especially by people who are in a position of power.
The commanders accused him of carrying out a reign of terror.
1 [VERB] V, V over n
If you say, for example, that silence reigns in a place or confusion reigns in a situation, you mean that the place is silent or the situation is confused. (WRITTEN)
Confusion reigned about how the debate would end...
A relative calm reigned over the city.
2 [VERB] V, V-ing
When a king or queen reigns, he or she rules a country.
...Henry II, who reigned from 1154 to 1189.
...George III, Britain's longest reigning monarch.
[N-COUNT] with poss
Reign is also a noun.
...Queen Victoria's reign.
3 [VERB] V, V over n
If you say that a person reigns in a situation or area, you mean that they are very powerful or successful.
Connors reigned as the world No. 1 for 159 consecutive weeks...
Coco Chanel reigned over fashion for half a century.
[N-COUNT] with poss
Reign is also a noun.
...a new book celebrating Havergal's reign as artistic director of the Citizens' Theatre.
4 [PHRASE] V inflects
Someone or something that reigns supreme is the most important or powerful element in a situation or period of time.
The bicycle reigned supreme as Britain's most popular mode of transport...
5 [PHRASE]
A reign of terror is a period during which there is a lot of violence and killing, especially by people who are in a position of power.
The commanders accused him of carrying out a reign of terror.